Plug valve



Sept. 17, 1935'. .1. c. MARTIN, JR

PLUG VALVE Filed Aug.' 29, 1951 v m 11 INI@ 7 a ww@ nl@ yW/WVV/wvwmm ratemed seti,A 17, 1935 UNITED STATES- PATENT OFFICE 'l PLUG VALVE .Jesse C. Martin, Jr., Los Angeles, Calif.,` assignor to Walworth Patents, Inc., Boston, Mass., a corporation of Massachusetts Application August 29, 1931, Serial No. 560,212 s claims. (ofen-10s) 5 rangement ofthe valve retaining and packing means; v

vWhile,lfor example, the valve is disclosed as incorporating lubricating means, it will be understood that the invention is of more or less gen eral application to plug valves and the like and finds a wide field of utility irrespective of the IIfhe foregoing objects and advantages, together with such other objects and advantages as may 10 appear as this description proceeds, are attained mangaring feamresatnereon/Wfvwvistructural embodiments of the invention The principal objects and advantages of this invention reside in the provision generally of an improved form of plug valve incorporating, in general, two novel features, that is to say, an improved 'form/offplug valve wherein the plug is lin aintiined in its seat by an improved gasket structure and retaining means therefor; the provision of an improved form of plug valve wherein improved means is provided for retaining the plug in its seat by a' double compressible joint andfgasket structure; the provision of an im'- proved form of plug valve wherein the area of contact between the plug valve member and the retaining elements therefor is reduced in so far as practicable so as to reduce the friction between the gasket and/or packing and the valve member, thereby permitting a freedom of movement of the plug in its seat not ordinarily obtainable, as well as preserving the integrity of the movable compressible jointas a seal against fluid leakage from-the valve.

"Further objects and advantages of this inventionreside in the provision of an improved plug valve structure wherein substantially all torque strain -on the ange gasket employed in forming the joint between the valve 'retaining member and the casing is eliminated, thereby preventing twisting or other distortion of the flange gasket and eliminating the necessity for constant taking up by `reason of the heavy end thrustA placed against it on valves of the high pressure type and when the valve member is rotated under pressure from open to closed position, or vice versa.

This invention is further characterized by the provision of an improved compressible gasket ioint construction f oriretaining the plug in the plug seat independently of any axial strain or l twisting movement thereagainst, such, for example, which occurs when the gasket is disposed across one end of the plug and held on the outer rim of the valve body; the provision of an im proved sealing gasket construction for the body or casing of a plug valve;l the provision of animillustrated in the which:

i Figure 1 is a sectional view of a plug valve in- 15 corporating the improvements of this invention, portions thereof being shown in elevation; v

accompanying drawing, in

Figure 2 is a fragmentary enlarged sectional view of the form'of the invention shown in Figure 1; and 20 Figure 3 is a fragmentary sectional view of an alternative form of the invention.

Referring now more particularly to the drawing, and rst to the form of the invention shown in Figures 1 and 2, a plug valve body or casing 25 is shown at 5 provided with transverse passageways 6 and 'I having external flanges 8 and 9 for connection to a pipe line or the like.

'Iransversely of the passageways 6 and 1 there is provided a .tapered valve seat I0 in which a 80 plug member I I, also tapered,'is adapted to seat, the bottom or lower end of the seat, as viewed in Figure l, being permanently closed by an end wall I2, the opposite end of' the seat being open and the casing 5 being extended, as at I3, and 85 formed at that end with an annular ange Il.

It will beobserved that the larger end vof the valve seat terminates in a substantially` cylindrical portion I5 and that this is of slightly i greater diameter than that of the adjacent larger 40 end of the plug member. provided with a transverse-opening `Iii which is adapted to control the ilow of fluid through the passagewajLs 6 and 1, the valve being shown in the drawing asin closed position. 45

The plug rmember is The plug valve member II is provided with a stem or operating portion I1 which is adapted to project beyond the casing and its closure and is provided with a wrench squareportion I8.

' Within the stern I1 there may be provided, ifi() the valve is to beef the lubricated type, a chamber I9 for containing lubricant in which a comi presser screw 20 'is threaded, said chamber I9 communicating withlongitudinal grooves 2l, 22 and transverse grooves 23 and 24 provided in 55 the surface of contact between the valve and its seat, by the provision of' ports 25 in the plug valve member, counter-flow from the grooves into the chamber I9 being arrested by the provision of a check valve 25 held on its seat by a spring 21.

For retaining the valve in its seat and/or forming a retaining means for the sealing gasket structure, I provide a valve retaining flange plate 28, said flange plate being adapted to engage a composite resilient packing gasket 29 interposed between one faceiof the plate 28 and the upper face of the flange I4 on the body of the valve, bolts 30 being provided to extend through the flange I4, plate 28 and said gasket 29 for retaining .the plate 28 in operative position on the body and for forming a closure.

The plate 28 is provided With a cylindrical abutment portion 3| which is adapted to snugly engage the cylindrical portion I5 of the casing 5. Between the inner face 32 of the cylindrical flange 3l and the adjacent surface of the valve, I provide a sealing gasket 33 of composite construction, including a compressible joint disc 34 and a resilient metallic disc 35, said discs being bored to receive the stem I1 of the valve mem-l ber and disposed so that the gasket or sealing portion 34, which is resilient in nature, is interposed between the disc 35 and the surface 32 of the fiange 3|, the metallic disc element 35 being in direct contact with the reduced upper area 36 of the adjacent face of the valve member. This surface is reduced in area by annularly re cessing the larger end of the plug member as indicated at 31.

VWhenlthe bolts 30 are tightened by turning up on the nuts 30a provided therefor, the plate 28 is drawn toward the flange I4 and thus the cylindrical abutting member 3| impinges on the packing gasket 34 and plate 35 compressing the two between the adjacent surfaces 32 and 36 of said abutment 3i and plug member II, respectively. The resilient nature of the packing gasket 34 tends to hold the valve member in its seat and yet permits of a slight unseating of the valve member axially in response to lubricant pressure introduced into the grooves 2 I, 22, 23 and 24 upon turning down the compressor screw 20.

'I'he gasket indicated generally by the numeral 29 is a composite flange gasket structure and consists of any suitable asbestos and rubber material of a compressible and resilient nature which will function to form a joint between the respective metallic surfaces of the ,plate 28 and flange I4. For example, the double compressible gaskets or discs shown at 29a may be of an asbestos material, and the intermediate gasket shown at 29h may be of rubber, all specially prepared to resist and best withstand the temperature of super-heated steam orthe cracking of oil in practical operation without losing their resilient characteristics.

The metal disc'35 is preferably of slightly less outside diameter than that of the gasket 34 so thatthere will be a relatively small area of pressure contact between the abutment 3|, gasket 34, disc 35 and plug member, thus materially reducing the friction and thus the resistance to turning of the plug member in its seat.

For valves of this type which are to be employed where relatively high pressures and/or temperatures are encountered in service, I provide a supplemental packing residing in a stuffing box formed by a space afforded between the inner cylindrical surface of the abutment member 3| and the valve stem I'I. The bottom of this stuffing box is formed by the compositegasket including the discs 34 and 35, and a ring packing. composed of elements 38 and 39, is deposited'in the stufiing box and rests' upon the composite 5 gasket 33.

A gland 40 is provided. for compressing the packing rings 38 and 39 and, when thus com pressed, the discs 34 and 35 are distorted into the recess 31. This does not materially increase l0 the frictional resistance inasmuch as in this type of valve, where high pressures and temperatures l are encountered, the disc 35 has a metal to metal contact in the recess 31 and thus facilitates turning of the plug valve member even where the 15 necessary supplemental packing must be resorted to. 'Ihe gland 40 is actuated against the rings 38 and 39 by the provision of stud bolts 4I, 4I passing through a flange 42 in said gland element and having operating nuts 43 thereon.

The packing rings 38 and 39, as previously explained, are employed in valves of the character-j wherein the pressures are high, butin smaller sizes of valves employed under medium pressures' the packing rings 38 and 39 may be eliminated 25 and full dependence may be placed on the seal formed by the gaskets 34 and 35.

An alternative form of the invention shown in Figure 3 discloses the construction wherein the sealing gasket may be composed of the resilient 30 disc of compressible material, designated 44, the friction reducing metallic disc 45 interposed between the retaining abutment member 45 carried by a plate 48 bolted at 49 to a flange 50- formed on thevalvelbodyM. This form of the 35 invention is substantially ideicaiiY ifsiiiic-4 tioning with respect to the sealing gaskets 44 and 45 as that of the form of the invention shown in Figures 1 and 2 with respect to the gaskets 34 and 35. shown in Figure 3 has the composite/gasket 52 performing a function similar to the gasket 23 shown in Figures 1 and 2. A function of the gaskets 34 and 35 and 44 and 45 in each instance is that there is no tend- 45 ency for binding of the resilient gasket 44 in its seat, and the construction permits, if desired, of a general independent relative rotation of these gaskets when the plug is rotated so that they may act in a manner similar to the provision of 50 a floating bushing in a bearing shaft. though, of course, possessing the additional function of forming a tightened seal against the escape of fluid from the pipe line and against the escape of lubricant up along the valve stem. Any lubricant which is permitted to reach the space adjacent the outer peripheral edges of the gaskets 34, 35, 44 and 45 is prevented from leaking from the valve body by the provision of the sealing gaskets 52, as will be clearly observed from an inspection of the figures of the drawing. One advantage of the form oi' the invention shown in Figures 1 and 2 is that, upon renewal or replacement ofthe packing rings 33 and 33, it is not necessary to shut off the valve against the flow of pressure in the pipe line, inasmuch as even under high pressures and temperatures, temporarily the gaskets 34 and 35 will form an adequate seal to permit of the removal of the gland 40 and re-packing or replacement of the 70 rings 38 and 33. A I In order to afford a limit stop for the valve, the stem may be provided with a circular recess 53 in 'which a stop lug 54 carried by the gland 40 is adapted to engage. 15

Similarly, the form of the invention 40 tegrity of the joint formation is preserved and l the eiliciency of the .valves/is maintained over much greater periods of time than is now obtainable in plug valvesof .this type. The provision of the gaskets t@ and dt eliminates the necessity of incorporating spring elements in the valve structure for holding the valve on its seat,

which springs in some constructions and for some pses are objectionable, inasmuch as they are vulnerable to caustic 'or acid nuids conducted through the valve.

I desire to be understood that any form of lubricating 'and compressing means and anyI form of the lubricant grooves or channels included between the suriaces'oi contact-,of 4tlie lvalve and its seat y be employed .for distributing the lubricant over the valve 'and its seat, the form shown in the drawing being purely exemplary, and that, as occasion requires to moet the service conditions obtaining, the present invention may be applied toA analogous valve structures wherein `no lubricant is employed, and will possess the same advantages as in a valve where lubricant is usually employed.

Having thus described my invention and illustrated its use, what I claim as new and desire to` secure by Letters Patent is: l

l. In a plug valve, in combination, a casing vhaving a tapered seat terminating at its larger end in a recess, a tapered valve member for engaging said seat, transverse passageways in said casing and valve member for -ilow of duid, an operating stem for said valve member extending beyond' said casing and dening a shoulder on said valve member adjacent the bottom of said recess, a valve retaining ilange on said casing having a portion extending within said recess and overlying said shoulder, and a packing supported by said shoulder out of engagement with said recess bottom and in engagement with the adjacent end of said overlying portion of said flange.

2. In a plug valve, in combination, a casing having s. tapered seat terminating at its larger end in a cylindrical-recess, a tapered valve member for engaging said seat, transverse passageways in said casing and valve member for flow of fluid, an operating stem for said valve member extending beyond said casing and defining a shoulder on said valve member adjacent the bottom of said recess, a valve retaining flange on said casing having a, portion extending within said recess and overlying said shoulder, a packing supported by saidl shoulder out of 'engagement with said recess bottom enclin-engagement with the adjcent end of said overlyingportion-of said flange, and a supplemental packing engaging said stem and a part of said i'lrst mentioned.- packingy 3. In a plug valve, in' combination, a casing having a tapered seat terminating at its larger ,end in' a cylindrical recess, a tapered valve member for engaging said seat, transverse passageways in said casing and valve member for ow of uid, an operating stem for said valve member extending beyond said casing and defining a'. shoulder on said valve member adjacent the bottom of said recess,

a valve retaining flange on said casing' having al 5 portion extending within said recess and overlying said shoulder, a. packing supported bysaid shoulder out of engagement with said recess bottom and in engagement with the adjacent end of said overlying portion of said flange, a supple- `mental packing engaging said stem and a part of said iirst mentioned packing and, a gland for compressing said supplemental packing, said gland and supplemental packing being removable and replaceable while the duid pressure in the passageway is controlled by said valve member.

i. in a plug valve, in combination, a casing having a tapered seat terminating at its larger end Vin a cylindrical recess, a tapered valve member for engaging said seat, transverse passageways in said 2G casing and valve member for flow of fluid, an operating stem for said valve member exten beyond'said casing and defining a shoulder on said valve member adjacent the bottom of said. recess, a valve retaining ilange on said casing liav- 25 ing aportion extending within said recess and overlying said shoulder, a packing supported by said shoulder out of engagement with said recess' bottom and in engagement with the adjacent end of said overlying portion of said flange and a 30 irictionreducing element between said packing and the'shoulder,

5. In a plug vali/ain combination, a casing having a tapered seat, a tapered valve member for engaging said casing, transverse passageways in 35 said 'seat and valve member for flow of fluid, an operating stem for said valve member extending beyond said casing and'spaced therefrom to form a stufng box, a valve retaining flange on said casing having a portion extending into said stud0 ing box and overlying said valve member, a compressible resilient. packing gasket supported in engagement with said ilange portion and out of engagement with the bottom oi the stuing box by the adjacent end of saidA valve member, a resilient 45 friction reducing member being substantially coextensive with said gasket and mounted between said gasket and the adjacent portion of the valve member, said gasket and friction reducing member being adapted for rotation in the casing, andc sealing packing gasket between said valveretaning ange and said casing.

6. In a plug valve, in combination, a casing having a tapered seat, a tapered valve member engaging said seat, transverse fluid passageways in 55 said valve member and seat, an operating stemv for .said valve member extending beyond said casing, a. valve retaining flange on said casing havinga cylindrical portion overlying said valve member, a resilient compressible packing gasket interposed between said iiange portion and the adjacent end of said valve member, and aresilient fric-- tion relieving disc between said gasket and said valve 'member, said disc being of less area than saidgasketand being spaced from the casing, and ot `thevalve member having a reduced area. of contact with said JESSE C. MARTIN, JR. 

